Refrigerated railcar system

ABSTRACT

A refrigerated railcar system that is configured to have a plurality of reefers operably coupled thereto wherein the present invention provides improved electrical coupling of the reefers. The refrigerated railcar system of the present invention includes a plurality of railcars that are operable to have secured thereto reefers ranging from twenty to fifty-three feet. The railcars have a first end and a second end with an electrical junction box present at each end. A generator railcar is present in the system and is electrically coupled to an adjacent railcar present on opposing ends thereof. The generator railcars include subpanel modules and a wiring harness that are operable to electrically couple to electrical junction boxes present at opposing ends of the generator railcars. A platform is coupled to the container of the generator railcar and is configured to have the wiring harness secured underneath thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to railroad car configurations and assemblies, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a railroad car system that includes a novel railcar configured to have operably coupled thereto a refrigerated container, commonly known as reefers, wherein the present invention deploys a railcar having improved electrical configuration so as to enable additional alternate configurations of reefers.

BACKGROUND

Thousands of miles of railroad are dispersed across North America. Railroads are heavily utilized as a mode of commercial transportation for items such as but not limited to automobiles, bulk goods and large construction equipment. Another item that is transported by rail are perishable goods such as but not limited to food. These perishable goods must be shipped in refrigerated containers in order to inhibit the spoiling of the goods during transportation. Most commonly the perishable goods are stored in containers commonly referred to as reefers. The typical configuration of a reefer is either a twenty-foot container or a forty-foot container. These aforementioned containers have the necessary refrigeration in order to maintain the interior volume at a desired temperature so as to prevent spoilage of the perishable goods during transportation.

The conventional assembly of railcars will include a plurality of platform cars and a generator car that supplies the necessary electrical power to operate the refrigeration of the reefers. The problem with conventional platform railcars is their existing wiring configuration and its inability to both adapt to alternate reefer configurations as well as facilitate efficient deployment of the electrical connections and/or wiring. Often intermodal workers will have to deploy hundreds of feet of heavy cable in order to facilitate the electrical connection to the generator car. This requires time which if saved can ensure arrival of perishable goods on time so as to avoid spoilage thereof.

Accordingly, there is a need for a railcar system that deploys a plurality of platform railcars that employ a novel electrical configuration so as to provide improved connectivity with alternate configurations of reefers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a railcar system that deploys a plurality of platform railcars operably coupled to a generator railcar wherein the present invention includes a plurality of railcars wherein the railcars are equally distributed on opposing sides of a generator railcar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system having a novel platform railcar wherein the platform railcar is configured electrically so as to improve operable coupling of reefers thereto wherein the present invention wherein the generator car of the present invention includes a wiring configuration that maintains the wires internally when not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system that deploys a plurality of platform railcars operably coupled to a generator railcar wherein the ends of the generator railcar include lockable doors having hangers on the insides thereof configured to store the wiring when not in use that further includes a subpanel.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system having a novel platform railcar wherein the platform railcar is configured electrically so as to improve operable coupling of reefers wherein the generator railcar includes a movable platform having channels therein so as to route the wiring underneath the platform.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system that deploys a plurality of platform railcars operably coupled to a generator railcar wherein the railcars of the system of the present invention include a first end and a second end.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system having a novel platform railcar wherein the platform railcar is configured electrically so as to improve operable coupling of reefers wherein an electrical junction box is present at the first end of each railcar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system that deploys a plurality of platform railcars operably coupled to a generator railcar wherein the second end of the railcar includes a second electrical junction box mounted thereto.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a railcar system having a novel platform railcar wherein the platform railcar is configured electrically so as to improve operable coupling of reefers wherein the first electrical junction box and second electrical junction box has a plurality of electrical outlets on opposing sides thereof.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary railcar of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first side of an electrical junction box of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second side of the electrical junction box of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a railcar of the present invention having two reefers superposed thereon; and

FIG. 5 is a side diagrammatic view of the generator car of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the end of the generator container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a refrigerated railcar system 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1 herein, the refrigerated railcar system 100 includes a plurality of railcars 10. The railcars 10 are conventional platform railcars having a first end 11 and a second end 12. The railcars 10 include an upper surface 13 that is planar in manner and is operable to receive at least one reefer superposed thereon. The railcars 10 include a recessed area 9 wherein the recessed area 9 provides a space for the reefer 90 to be placed therein so as to reduce the overall height of the reefers 90 when stacked as is shown in FIG. 4 herein. The recessed area 9 extends below the upper surface 8 of the railcar 10 and extends substantially intermediate the wheel/axle assemblies 17. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerated railcar system 100 will include five railcars 10 on one side of the generator railcar 50 and another five railcars 10 on the opposing side of the generator railcar 50. While the aforementioned quantity is a preferred configuration, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the refrigerated railcar system 100 could include any number of railcars 10 operably coupled to the generator railcar 50. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the railcar 10 of the present invention could be configured with alternate quantity of wheel/axle assemblies 17 so as to accommodate alternate quantities of loads.

Mounted to the first end 11 of the railcar 10 is the first electrical junction box 20. The first electrical junction box 20 includes a housing 21 that is manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to metal and is constructed to be weatherproof. The first electrical junction box 20 includes a first side 24 and a second side 26. The first electrical junction box 20 is operable to facilitate an electrical connection between an adjacent railcar as well as provide electrical power to a reefer container 90. The first side 24 of the first electrical junction box 20 includes a first outlet 28 and a second outlet 29. The first outlet 28 and second outlet 29 are provided in order to facilitate an electrical coupling between the first electrical junction box 20 and a reefer container 90. The first outlet 28 and second outlet 29 are conventional weatherproof outlets that are configured to be electrically coupled to wire 98 utilizing conventional techniques. The first electrical junction box 20 has formed thereon the second side 26 a third electrical outlet 31, a fourth electrical outlet 32, a fifth electrical outlet 33 and a sixth electrical outlet 34. The third electrical outlet 31, fourth electrical outlet 32, fifth electrical outlet 33 and sixth electrical outlet 34 provide the necessary electrical interfaces so as to provide electrical coupling intermediate railcars 10 present within the refrigerated railcar system 100. While not particularly illustrated herein the first electrical junction box 20 is electrically coupled to the second electrical junction box 40 via wiring integrated into the railcar 10. While not particularly illustrated herein, the first electrical junction box 20 and second electrical junction box 40 are contemplated to have weatherproof covers in their preferred embodiment.

The refrigerated railcar system 100 includes a second electrical junction box 40 present on the second end 12 of each railcar 10. The second electrical junction box 40 is manufactured identically to the first electrical junction box 20. An identical housing 41 is employed as well as the aforementioned electrical outlet configuration as described herein for the first electrical junction box 20. As discussed the first electrical junction box 20 and the second electrical junction box 40 are electrically coupled via wiring integrated into the railcar 10. The second electrical junction box 40 has the same configuration of electrical outlets wherein two electrical outlets are present on one side of the housing 41 and four electrical outlets are present on another side of the housing 41. For both the first electrical junction box 20 and the second electrical junction box 40 it should be understood that the outlet configuration could be such that the outlet distribution as discussed herein could be on opposing walls or adjacent walls of the housing. The advantage of having a first electrical junction box 20 and a second electrical junction box 40 present at the first end 11 and second end 12 respectively, is avoidance of manual deployment of approximately one hundred feet of thirty two amp electrical cord each time a reefer 90 is loaded onto the railcar 10. The aforementioned electrical configuration of the present invention is operable to accommodate various reefer 90 configurations such as but not limited to two twenty foot reefers 90 superposed one forty foot reefer 90. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the refrigerated railcar system 100 is configured to receive and retain reefers 90 ranging from twenty to fifty-three feet.

The reefers 90 deployed on the refrigerated railcar system 100 are conventional refrigerated containers configured to store perishable items. The reefer 90 includes a first end 91 and second end 92 wherein the reefer 90 includes electrical connections at both the first end 91 and second 92 in order to be electrically coupled with the first electrical junction box 20 and second electrical junction box 40. The reefer 90 of the preferred embodiment further includes ladder 95 operably coupled thereto. Ladder 95 is movably coupled to the reefer 90 utilizing suitable durable mechanical fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the ladder 95 is movable between a deployed position that allows a user to access the necessary electrical connections of the reefer 90 and stored position wherein the ladder 95 is stored in a position. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the ladder 95 could be movably secured in numerous alternate manners. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the ladder 95 could be integrally mounted into an elevated catwalk (not illustrated herein) wherein this configuration could employ a ladder 95 that is movable in an upwards-downwards motion in order to provide access thereto when needed. Additionally, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the ladder 95 is on both sides of the reefer 90 in a preferred embodiment.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 submitted as a part hereof, the refrigerated railcar system 100 includes a generator railcar 60. The generator railcar 60 includes containers 61 secured thereto that include an electrical generator (not particularly illustrated therein) disposed within the interior volume thereof. The generator railcar 60 provides the necessary electrical power to operate the reefers 90 so as to maintain a desired internal temperature thereof. The generator railcar 60 includes a first electrical junction box 20 and a second electrical junction box 40 that are utilized to provide electrical coupling to the other railcars 10 present in the refrigerated railcar system 100. The generator railcar 60 is identified with indicia 63 wherein the preferred indicia 63 is the letter G. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the indicia 63 could be alternate markings and/or signs instead of and/or in conjunction with the letter G. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that each railcar 10 has disposed thereon indicia identifying the railcar 10. Lastly, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indicia 63 is present in a raised letter having a structure extending outward from the outer surface of the railcar 10. The aforementioned structure of the indicia 63 provides the ability to read subsequent the railcar having graffiti painted thereon which is a common occurrence. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the indicia 63 could be employed on any type of railcar.

The containers 61 of the generator railcar 60 are manufactured from suitable durable material such as metal. The containers 61 include a first end 62 and a second end 63. Located on ends 62,63 are doors 70 and subpanel module 75. The doors 70 are provided on each end so as to provide access to the interior volume of the containers 61. Doors 70 include a first portion 71 and second portion 72 that are hingedly coupled to the container 61 utilizing suitable durable fasteners. The doors 70 include hangers 74 formed thereon wherein hangers 74 provide an element to secure and mount the wiring harness 80 when not operably coupled to either the first electrical junction box 20 or the second electrical junction box 40. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the hangers 74 could be provided in alternate shapes and quantities so as to achieve the desired objective stated herein. The doors 70 are lockable so as to inhibit access to the interior volume of the containers 61 in order to deter theft of the wiring harness 80. As is known in the art, theft of railcars during travel is quite common and parts such as but not limited to wiring are commonly stolen which not only can be expensive to replace but can lead to collateral damage due to impact on operation of the components such as but not limited to reefers 90.

The wiring harness 80 is electrically coupled to the subpanel module 75. The subpanel module 75 is secured to the ends 62,63 of the container 61. The subpanel module 75 and wiring harness 80 are configured to facilitate the electrical coupling of the generator within the generator railcar 60 to the first electrical junction box 20 and second electrical junction box 40. Each adjacent electrical box of present on adjacent cars are electrically coupled utilizing wiring integrated into the railcar 10. The aforementioned provides an improved technique to electrically couple adjacent railcars 10 within minimal labor and wiring manipulation required. The wiring harness 80 extends underneath the platform 105. The platform 105 is present on each end 62,63 of the container 61 and is configured to be hingably secured to the container 61 utilizing suitable durable fasteners. The hingeable securing of the platform 105 allows the platform 105 to be hinged upwards so as to lay the harness 80 underneath the platform 105 then return the platform 105 to a horizontal position. The platform 105 is square u-shaped having upper portion 106 wherein the shape of the platform 105 provides the ability to route the harness 80 underneath the platform 105. While a preferred embodiment of the platform 105 has been illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the platform 105 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerated railcar system comprising: at least one railcar, said at least one railcar having a first end and a second end, said at least one railcar having wheel-axle assemblies at said first end and said second end, said at least one railcar having a recessed area, said recessed area extending substantially intermediate said first end and said second end; at least two first electrical junction boxes, said first electrical junction box being present at said first end of said at least one railcar, said first electrical junction box having a housing, said housing having a first side and a second side, said first side of said housing of said first electrical junction box having at least two electrical outlets, said second side of said first electrical junction box having at least four electrical outlets; at least two second electrical junction boxes, said second electrical junction box being present at said second end of said at least one railcar, said second electrical junction box having a housing, said housing of said electrical junction box having a first side and a second side, said first side of said housing of said second electrical junction box having at least two electrical outlets, said second side of said second electrical junction box having at least four electrical outlets; a generator railcar, said generator railcar having a container, said container having disposed therein necessary equipment to generate electricity, said generator railcar having a first end and a second end, said generator railcar having the first electrical junction box secured to said first end of the generator railcar, said generator railcar having the second electrical junction box secured to the second end of the generator railcar; and at least one reefer, said at least one reefer being superposed the at least one railcar specifically in the recessed area thereof, said at least one reefer being electrically coupled to the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box.
 2. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one railcar and the generator railcar further include indicia, wherein the indicia is structured to extend outward from a surface of the at least one railcar and the generator railcar.
 3. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 2, wherein said the first electrical junction box present on the at least one railcar and the second electrical junction box present on the at least one railcar are electrically coupled.
 4. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 3, wherein the container of the generator railcar includes doors present at least one end thereof, said doors configured to be lockable, said doors operable to provide access to an interior volume of the container of the generator railcar.
 5. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 4, wherein the generator railcar further includes a first subpanel module and a second subpanel module, said first subpanel module and said second subpanel module located at the first end and the second end of the generator railcar, said first subpanel module and said second subpanel module configured to be electrically coupled to the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box mounted to the generator car respectively.
 6. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 5, and further including a first wiring harness and a second wiring harness, said first wiring harness being secured to said first subpanel module, said second wiring harness being secured to said second subpanel module.
 7. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 6, wherein the generator railcar further includes a platform, said platform located operably coupled to said container of said generator railcar, said platform being configured to facilitate the wiring harness being located underneath thereto.
 8. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one railcar further includes at least one ladder, said at least one ladder being operably coupled to the at least one reefer, said at least one ladder being movable between a stored position and a deployed position.
 9. A refrigerated railcar system that is configured to transport a plurality of reefers providing improved electrical coupling thereof wherein the refrigerated railcar system comprises: a plurality of railcars, said plurality of railcars having a first end and a second end, said plurality of railcars having wheel-axle assemblies at said first end and said second end, said plurality of railcars having a recessed area, said recessed area extending substantially intermediate said first end and said second end, said recessed area of said plurality of railcars configured to have at least one reefer disposed therein, said plurality of railcars further including indicia, said indicia located at said first end and said second end of each of said plurality of railcars, wherein the indicia is structured to extend outward from a surface of the plurality of railcars; a first electrical junction box, said first electrical junction box being present at said first end of each of said plurality of railcars, said first electrical junction box having a housing, said housing having a first side and a second side, said first side of said housing of said first electrical junction box having at least two electrical outlets, said second side of said first electrical junction box having at least four electrical outlets; a second electrical junction box, said second electrical junction box being present at said second end of each of said plurality of railcars, said second electrical junction box having a housing, said housing of said electrical junction box having a first side and a second side, said first side of said housing of said second electrical junction box having at least two electrical outlets, said second side of said second electrical junction box having at least four electrical outlets, wherein said first electrical junction box is electrically coupled to said second electrical junction box on each of said plurality of railcars; a generator railcar, said generator railcar having a container, said container having disposed therein necessary equipment to generate electricity, said generator railcar having a first end and a second end, said generator railcar being present within the refrigerated railcar system having approximately an equal number of railcars located on opposing ends thereof, said generator railcar having the first electrical junction box secured to said first end of the generator railcar, said generator railcar having the second electrical junction box secured to the second end of the generator railcar, wherein the container of the generator railcar includes doors present at least one end thereof, said doors configured to be lockable, said doors operable to provide access to an interior volume of the container of the generator railcar, said generator railcar further including indicia on at least one end thereof, said indicia of said generator railcar extending outward from a surface to which the indicia of the generator railcar is secured thereto; and a plurality of reefers, said plurality of reefers being superposed the plurality of railcars specifically in the recessed area thereof, said plurality of reefers being electrically coupled to the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box.
 10. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 9, wherein the generator railcar further includes a first subpanel module and a second subpanel module, said first subpanel module and said second subpanel module located at the first end and the second end of the generator railcar, said first subpanel module and said second subpanel module configured to be electrically coupled to the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box mounted to the generator car respectively.
 11. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 10, and further including a first wiring harness and a second wiring harness, said first wiring harness being secured to said first subpanel module, said second wiring harness being secured to said second subpanel module.
 12. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 11, wherein the generator railcar further includes a platform, said platform located operably coupled to said container of said generator railcar, said platform being configured to facilitate the wiring harness being located underneath thereto.
 13. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 12, wherein the plurality of railcars further include at least one ladder, said at least one ladder being operably coupled to each of the plurality of reefers, said at least one ladder being movable between a stored position and a deployed position.
 14. The refrigerated railcar system as recited in claim 13, wherein the preferred embodiment of the refrigerated railcar system includes ten railcars. 